As the baking season ramps up, you might be wondering, What is the difference between parchment paper and wax paper? And can you use them interchangeably? The short answer here is, no, wax paper and parchment paper are not the same thing. They may look similar, but there are some key differentiators that make them useful in completely different ways.
These kitchen papers are both awesome for making cleanup faster and easier. They are also good for wrapping meat and fish and for separating layers of baked goods for storage. But the main difference between wax paper and parchment paper is that wax paper will melt or catch fire in the oven, whereas parchment paper won’t.
What Is Parchment Paper?
Parchment paper, also known as baking paper, is a cellulose-based composite with a silicone coating that is commonly used in baking. Its cellulose base contains plant cell walls and vegetable fibres, such as cotton, and is pressed so that it does not degrade. The silicone not only makes it nonstick, but it also helps to keep it heat-resistant as well as grease-resistant, which is the primary distinction between parchment paper and wax paper. It is also resistant to humidity, making it an excellent substitute for cooking spray. You might have noticed that parchment paper is sometimes brown and sometimes white. Both are heat resistant; white parchment paper is simply bleached, whereas brown parchment paper is unbleached and has never been treated with chemicals such as chlorine. Parchment paper can be used to line sheet pans and cake pans for the oven or as a packet for cooking fish and veggies.
What Is Wax Paper?
Wax paper is food-safe tissue paper with a thin layer of wax coating on both sides, usually petroleum-based paraffin wax or soybean wax. This makes the wax paper non-stick and water-resistant. It comes in a roll and can be used for countertop tasks like rolling out cookie or pie dough, wrapping up blocks of cheese to store in the refrigerator and pounding chicken breasts into chicken cutlets. Although waxed paper is safe to use in a microwave (to prevent splatters or to line a dish) exposing it to the heat of an oven will cause it to melt, smoke, and possibly catch fire, so wax paper is best for cold applications in the kitchen. The only time you can use wax paper in the oven safely is to line the bottom of a cake pan that will be completely covered in batter, preventing it from smoking. Although wax paper is extremely useful, it is not heat resistant.
You can substitute parchment paper for wax paper, but not wax paper for parchment paper. Because parchment paper has the added benefit of being heat resistant, it is arguably the more useful choice; therefore, if you only want to keep one on hand, go for the parchment paper. The Asahi Kasei Cooking Sheet is a parchment paper for microwave which has a silicone coating on both sides that prevents food from sticking and allows you to bake without making a mess. Its superior quality prevents crumbling during baking and allows you to bake at temperatures as high as 250°F for 20 minutes. Whether you’re baking cookies, biscuits, croissants, or cakes, the Asahi Kasei Cooking Sheet is the ideal baking companion. To keep your tools clean and ready to use, simply place the sheet over the baking tray/pan and remove it after use. Asahi Kasei products represent the Japanese way of storing, cooking, and baking, which is now popular in Indian kitchens. These products have been used for over 50 years in Japan, demonstrating their utility and quality. They will alter the way you cook and store food, making your kitchen time more efficient, your cooking healthier, and your storage solutions more effective.
While wax paper and parchment paper appear to be very similar, it is critical to understand the difference between the two. Both are food-safe and helpful for non-stick applications, but wax paper cannot be used when any heat is involved. Parchment paper is a much more versatile option for a broader range of uses in the kitchen.